Anode shifting device for electroplating apparatus



June 14, 1966 A. F. GUALDIERI, sR., ETAL 3,

ANODE SHIFTING DEVICE FOR ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1962 Alfred F Gila/a der [5a, Alli/0 flow/1 17,

INVENTORS.

l/farney United States Patent 3,256,171 ANODE SHIFTING DEVICE FOR ELECTRO- PLATING APPARATUS Alfred F. Gualdieri, Sr., 2212 N. Braeburn, Fullerton, Calif., and Milton A. Plantin, 4545 Clubhouse Drive, Lakewood, Calif.

Filed Oct. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 228,602 1 Claim. (Cl. 204-225) The present invention relates generally to electroplating apparatus; and is more particularly concerned with improved means for plating the interior of hollowlike articles during a normal plating cycle.

Heretofore it has been a problem, when utilizing conventional plating apparatus, to satisfactorily plate the interior of deep dished or cupped objects without removing,

' resetting or otherwise disturbing the normal plating cycle.

With the foregoing in mind, it is one object of the present invention to provide an anode which is movably supported in such a manner that it may be placed, when desired, within the cuppedor cavity portion of the object, during a normal plating cycle, whereby it is possible to obtain a more uniform plating than with conventional apparatus, and in which it becomes unnecessary to reset or otherwise disturb the object during normal plating cycle.

A further object is to provide a movable anode carrier which is so arranged that projecting anodes thereon may be moved so as to project into the hollow object or article while in a plating position, and 'which is provided with actuating means which may be connected into automatic and time controlled circuits which enable carrying out of the plating operation automatically.

Another object is to provide anode carriage and supporting means in the form of an accessory which may be applied to a plating tank as a unitary oper'atively associated assemblage, without the necessity of special installation procedures.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the single figure therein illustrates an anode supporting arrangement according to the present invention, the invention being disclosed as embodied in a plating tank of conventional construction.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, for illustrative purposes the present invention is shown as being applied to a plating tank as generally indicated at 10. Tanks for this purpose may be variously constructed, and in the present instance is disclosed as comprising an outer shell 11 and an inner lining 12. Such tanks may be constructed to provide a single cavity or a compartment, and

if desired may be provided with one or more partitions as indicated at 13 so as to separate the tank into a plurality of separate plating compartments or cavities. In the present instance, the tank is shown as being separated into two compartments, namely, a compartment 14 and compartment 14', each of which is adapted to contain its own plating solution, object supporting rack and anode carrier mechanism. Since the mechanism in each tank compartment is similarly constructed, it is believed that an explanation of the inventive embodiment as applied to a single tank will clearly disclose the invention.

In each tank, there is provided an object or article supporting rack 15 which is provided with one or more hooks 16 by means of which the rack'may be suspended from associated hanger fittings 17 carried by an elongate support 'member 18 preferably of conducting material and justable connection 43 thereon.

' Patented June 14, .1966

having connection with a bus bar or other member 19 connected with the negative side of an electrical circuit.

The rack 15 may be variously constructed and arranged to support one or more dished or cupped shaped objects as indicated at 20. These objects may be conventionally supported in the usual manner by fingers as indicated at 21, clamps or other appropriate mechanical support. Irrespective of the type of support, the object should be supported so that the open end of each object as indicated at 22 will face in a similar direction and provide in effect an access opening to the interior cavityor hollow portion 23 of the object.

The accessory anode supporting structure as generally indicated at 24 comprises a bracket structure 25 which is arranged to be clamped as by means of one or more clamping screws 26 to a rim portion 27 of the tank shell.

Integrally formed with the main body of the bracket is an upwardly projecting arm 28 which forms a support for a lever member 29, this lever being rockably supported by a pivot 30 between its ends.

Adjacent and outwardly positioned with respect to the arm 28, is a double acting power cylinder 31 having an operatively associated piston connected with an actuating rod 32 which extends upwardly alongside the arm 28 and is connected at its outermost end by means of a pivot pin 33 to an end 34 of the lever member. As thus arranged, the power cylinder is outwardly disposed of the tank shell and projects generally downwardly from the rim of the tank. Fluid connections 35 and 36 permit controlled actuation of the lever 29 in opposite directions. If desired the lowermost end of the cylinder 31 may be anchored by anchor stud means 37 to the tank shell.

The other end 38 of the lever 29 is shown as being curved so as to form a deflected end which extends generally downwardly along the arm 28, in spaced relation thereto. This deflected end is secured to a carrier structure 39 through an intervening insulator 40 which permits the carrier to be directly connected with a bus bar 41 having connection with the positive side of an electrical circuit.

The carrier 39 may be constructed so as to form in effect a main anode, or it may constitute a framework which will support main anodes for use in the plating operation generally. In addition to the main carrier 39, it is proposed to provide adjustable anodes 42 which project from the carrier and may be supported by an ad- The anodes 42 may assume various configurations For instance, the anode may be a straight rod or bar as indicated at 43' so as to be extendable into a cup-shaped object as indicated at 44. On the other hand, the anode 42 is shown as having a curved outer end portion 45 which will more or less generally peripherally conform to the interior wall of the dished object 20.

By utilizing an anode supporting structure and operating mechanism as described above, movement of the anodes 42 may readily be accomplished so as to position the electrode so that it will extend through the opening 22 into the interior or cavity of the object and thus facilitate internal plating thereof. On the other hand, when desired, the carrier may be moved to a position so that the electrode will be withdrawn from the interior of the object.

For convenience in controlling the operation of the power cylinder 31, a manually operable switch 46 may be placed on the side of the tank, or a foot switch (not shown) placed in a convenient location for controlling) with conventional valve means the supply of fluid to the power cylinder 31.

It is also within the concept of the present invention that automatic timing control may be provided to control the power means and the movement of the carriage 39 according to a predetermined cycle of operation.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of our invention, and hence, we do not wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claim wherein portions of the claim have been separated for clearness and not for emphasis.

We claim:

Electroplating apparatus, comprising:

(a) a tank;

(b) a rack for supporting a plurality of articles having electrical connection with a cathode terminal in plating positions one above the other in said tank;

(c) a carrier including an elongate member extending into said tank, said member being pivotally supported at one end at one side of the tank for swinging movement of its other end relative to said rack;

((1) means for adjustably supporting on said elongate member a plurality of anodes have electrical connection with an anode terminal, the anodes projecting and (e) means for adjustably swinging said elongate member to change the position of said anodes with respect to said articles.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Hannon 204202 Evans et a1. 204225 X Davis 204198 Schneider 204297 Davis 204198 20 JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

MURRY TILLMAN, Examiner. A. B. CURTIS, W. VAN SISE, Assistant Examiners. 

